To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have (a) died whilst abroad and (b) had their death reported to the British Embassy in the relevant country in each of the last five years. (304710)

Figures collated by consular directorate in previous years related only to deaths that required action by our staff. Since April 2008, we have updated our guidance to include cases where we have been notified of a death even if no action has been necessary.

Based on the above criteria, the number of deaths recorded by consular staff overseas over the last five years are as follows: